Asia
AESF Seals MoU with South Korea’s Game Ratings and Administration Committee (GRAC)
The Asian Electronic Sports Federation (AESF) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Games Ratings and Administration Committee of South Korea (GRAC) which will further bolster the preparations for esports at the AESF Game Title Selection Pool Program for future Esports events.
This MoU which comes into effect on 29th of July 2021 will remain valid for the next three years.
Known by many to be the birthplace of esports, the Korean esports scene is highly regarded to be at the forefront of the industry and the official organization tied to the Korean government and affiliated with the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) is responsible for providing approval of games for local use while playing a significant role in shaping the gaming industry and esports culture in Korea.
In 2017, GRAC signed an agreement with the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC), making it the newest and only rating authority in Asia to participate in the global rating system for digital games and mobile apps.
This puts GRAC on-par with the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) in North America, PEGI in Europe, ClassInd in Brazil, USK in Germany and the Classification Board in Australia in utilising the streamlined IARC system to ensure that today’s digital consumers have consistent access to established and trusted age ratings across game devices.
Along with the GRAC, early this year the AESF has formed an internal Task Force to oversee game selection called the ‘Game Title Selection Pool Program.’ Composed of industry experts and professionals, the Task Force is formed to ensure fairness, accessibility, legitimacy of contents and transparency in selection of esports titles played at all AESF-sanctioned tournaments in the future.
By working closely with industry experts and relevant stakeholders, this Task Force aims to uphold the integrity and maintain the high professional standards of esports.
Through this agreement, the GRAC, represented by Chairperson, Mr. Lee Jae Hong, will share its knowledge and expertise and act primarily as reference for the matters pertaining to game contents evaluation of all applied titles for the ‘AESF Game Title Selection Pool Program’ in the future. The evaluation process will be mainly related to the suitability of content for esports in accordance with established criteria for game contents assessment.
With the aim of creating a transparent and fair outcome, the games selection process for future AESF and Olympic competitions will also adhere to the highest standards introduced and implemented by the AESF and Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).
Commenting on the momentous occasion, GRAC Chairperson, Mr Lee Jae Hong said “We are very excited to be part of this initiative which plays a huge role in ensuring the integrity of esports at future competitions. Alongside our counterparts at the AESF, I look forward to a fruitful collaboration which will, in the long term, pave the road for esports in being recognized on-par with other traditional sports on the biggest sporting stage.”
“We will cooperate with AESF to create a healthy esports culture and invigorate this scene for many years to come. We will also try to enhance our national status and extend the collaboration fields in game related ecosystems by promoting the international standardization of game rating classification,” he added.
AESF Director General, Mr. Sebastian Lau echoed the sentiment, saying “This partnership with GRAC is in-line with our focus in ensuring the highest standard for all continental and regional esports tournaments under the administration of the AESF. Not only does it show transparency in the esports titles selection, but it also hopefully sets a benchmark which all future tournaments follow.”
Esports have experienced a massive growth in Asia through official participation in various regional sporting events, most notably as a demonstration game at the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, and at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta. In 2019, at the Southeast Games in Manila, esports was included as a full-fledged medal sport. The momentum continues as Esports will feature as an official medal sport at the 2021 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Thailand and the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China PR.
Powered by WPeMatico
Asia
NODWIN Gaming joins forces with ICONiQ White to headline NH7 Weekender 2026 as Title Sponsor; to be ‘Powered By’ Mastercard
NODWIN Gaming, a leader in youth entertainment, gaming, and esports, has announced ICONiQ White as the Title Sponsor and Mastercard as the ‘Powered By’ Sponsor for NH7 Weekender 2026, reinforcing the festival’s status as one of India’s most influential live music events.
Scheduled from March 13–15, 2026, at Mahalakshmi Lawns, Pune, this year’s edition promises a vibrant celebration of music and culture, featuring an eclectic lineup including Talwiinder, Prateek Kuhad, Aditya Gadhvi, Raftaar x Kr$na, Faheem Abdullah, Aditya Rikhari, KING, Indian Ocean, Nucleya & Friends, among others. Comedy highlights will include performances by Aaditya Kulshreshth, Rahul Subramanian, Varun Thakur, Rohan Joshi, and Urooj Ashfaq, ensuring plenty of laughs alongside the music.
Representing Allied Blenders and Distillers Limited, India’s largest domestic spirits company by volume, ICONiQ White resonates with a generation that values individuality, confidence, and self-expression. As Title Sponsor, ICONiQ White will curate a social and experiential hub at the festival, offering attendees a space to pause, reset, and reconnect with art, community, and the festival experience.
Alok Gupta, Managing Director at Allied Blenders and Distillers Limited, said:
“Today’s generation creates the culture they consume. ICONiQ White celebrates individuality and bold self-expression – values that define NH7 Weekender. This partnership is about being present where our consumers discover new voices and create unforgettable memories. We look forward to fuelling these experiences and inviting everyone to ‘Be ICONiQ’ this March.”
Mastercard joins as the ‘Powered By’ Sponsor, supporting music and entertainment experiences globally. The festival will feature HDFC Bank Mastercard Credit Card presales followed by general Mastercard presales, providing exclusive access and curated benefits to enhance the live event experience.
Lavani Agarwal, VP Marketing & Communications, South Asia at Mastercard, said:
“NH7 Weekender embodies creativity, inclusivity, and self-expression—values at the heart of Mastercard. We are thrilled to connect with youth and Gen Z through exclusive presales and on-ground engagements. As India’s live entertainment scene grows, Mastercard remains committed to creating culturally resonant and unforgettable experiences.”
The partnerships coincide with a period of strong growth in India’s live events industry. According to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the organised live events segment grew by 15% in 2024, generating an incremental INR 13 billion, as India aims to be among the top five live entertainment destinations globally by 2030.
Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and MD of NODWIN Gaming, said:
“We are thrilled to welcome ICONiQ White and Mastercard as partners for NH7 Weekender 2026. What began as a platform for independent talent has evolved into one of India’s most recognised cultural properties. As the sector grows, building partnerships that enhance the audience journey and support sustainable expansion is essential. Together, these collaborations strengthen Weekender’s identity and propel the festival into its next chapter.”
Leading up to the festival, the Road to Weekender campaign will activate across Mumbai and Pune, extending the festival experience through interactive, community-driven events. Participants will have opportunities to win passes and access exclusive on-ground experiences.
Tickets are available via the District by Zomato app, the festival’s official ticketing partner. NH7 Weekender is a NODWIN IP, curated by Big Bad Wolf, with Exceed Entertainment as the revenue partner and EVA Live as the event partner.
The post NODWIN Gaming joins forces with ICONiQ White to headline NH7 Weekender 2026 as Title Sponsor; to be ‘Powered By’ Mastercard appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Asia
CreedRoomz Expands Localized Portfolio with “Lucky Colors”: A High-Volatility Digital Reimagining of Philippine Gaming Culture
CreedRoomz, a global leader in live casino solutions, has officially launched Lucky Colors, a premium game designed to appeal to the rapidly growing Southeast Asian market. Drawing inspiration from a beloved part of Philippine street culture and game show history, the title transforms the familiar energy of local carnivals into a high-performance digital experience, giving operators a winning combination of recognizable gameplay and engaging payouts.
Game Concept
Lucky Colors brings the traditional “Perya” to life using a realistic, smart engine. Players watch three multi-colored cubes tumble down a sloped path, delivering the dynamic action that has made these carnival games so popular. CreedRoomz has enhanced the experience for digital casino audiences, creating an engaging, fast-paced gameplay environment.
Key Features
-
Dual-Mode Gameplay – Designed to maximize Player Lifetime Value (PLV) by catering to two distinct player types within a single interface:
-
Classic Mode (Acquisition Tool): A 6-spot layout focused on single-color outcomes, optimized for high-frequency rounds. Perfect for casual players entering the game.
-
Advanced Mode (Revenue Driver): An 18-spot strategic layout for experienced players, offering complex betting and higher stakes to boost spending and retention.
-
-
Proprietary Multiplier Dynamics: The Dynamic Multiplier Engine assigns random multipliers to betting spots in real-time, enhancing big-win potential for marketing campaigns.
-
Scalable Volatility: Advanced mathematical modeling allows payouts of up to 1111x a player’s stake.
-
Special Round Trigger: All 18 advanced spots can simultaneously receive multipliers, creating “hero moments” and powerful promotional opportunities.
Arturs Fjodorovs, Chief Product Officer at CreedRoomz, said:
“Lucky Colors connects traditional fun with modern gaming tech by keeping the real energy of Philippine game shows alive. By combining big multipliers with two ways to play, we give partners a powerful tool to attract more players and keep them coming back.”
CreedRoomz delivers cutting-edge casino entertainment and online gaming solutions, helping operators stay competitive and appeal to diverse audiences. All solutions are fully customizable to align with a business’s scale, region, and player preferences.
With 30+ engaging games in 12+ languages, 1000+ strong partnerships, and 200+ dynamic tables, CreedRoomz provides the infrastructure for seamless, high-impact player experiences across the globe.
The post CreedRoomz Expands Localized Portfolio with “Lucky Colors”: A High-Volatility Digital Reimagining of Philippine Gaming Culture appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Asia
PG Soft revealed as Title Sponsor for Global Game Connect 2026
PG Soft, the world-class digital mobile games company, has been confirmed as the Title Sponsor of Global Game Connect 2026 (GGC), which will take place from 16–17 March 2026 at the prestigious Cinnamon Life venue in Sri Lanka.
Organised by HUIDU, Global Game Connect has quickly established itself as a key event within the iGaming industry. The conference brings together global leaders from across the sector, including platforms, operators, API integration providers, payment solution suppliers, and compliance specialists.
The sponsorship highlights PG Soft’s ongoing investment in emerging markets and its commitment to supporting the development of the industry at a regional level. With Sri Lanka identified as a strategic expansion market in 2026, the partnership strengthens the company’s brand presence while contributing to the continued growth of the country’s iGaming ecosystem.
As part of the agreement, PG Soft will receive prominent brand visibility throughout the event, including across promotional materials, exhibition entrance archway displays, and the registration area. The sponsorship also includes a comprehensive HUIDU advertising package, covering membership promotion, press exposure, and targeted digital marketing support.
Spanning two days, Global Game Connect 2026 will feature a forward-looking conference agenda covering a range of key industry topics. Discussions will explore emerging market trends, growth strategies, player data and analytics, regulatory compliance, as well as the evolving role of blockchain technology and artificial intelligence within modern gaming ecosystems.
A PG Soft spokesperson said:
“Global Game Connect 2026 provides an ideal platform to encourage meaningful discussions around innovation, regulation, and the future of the iGaming industry. Sri Lanka is becoming increasingly important as a regional iGaming hub, and we’re proud to support the event alongside HUIDU.”
The post PG Soft revealed as Title Sponsor for Global Game Connect 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
-
Africa7 days agoBooming Games teams up with Agreegain to power continued African growth
-
Canada7 days agoWazdan launches Green Brick Labs partnership via Maverick Games to expand Ontario reach
-
Australia6 days agoRegulating the Game Global Awards: First-Ever Winners Announced
-
Asia7 days agoGodLike Esports’ gaming creator Sharkshe unveils upgraded gaming room powered by Red Bull
-
Africa7 days agoHollywoodbets to deploy ClearStake’s ID by Bank for improved player verification
-
AGCO5 days agoCanada’s Ontario iGaming Market in 2026: Advertising Rules, Self-Exclusion and the Next Phase of Regulation
-
Asia6 days agoPG Soft revealed as Title Sponsor for Global Game Connect 2026
-
Asia5 days agoNODWIN Gaming joins forces with ICONiQ White to headline NH7 Weekender 2026 as Title Sponsor; to be ‘Powered By’ Mastercard



